During the Disney employee Christmas parties which were held at Disneyland, you never knew who might be working or where they’d be. I took this photo in 1993 when Jack Lindquist was driving passengers on a Main Street vehicle. The party hadn’t started and Jack was just sitting in the vehicle waiting. I was in, since I was also going to work on an attraction and I asked him for a ride. This was the first time I got to talk with Jack, being driven by him up and down Main Street in Disneyland.Jack Lindquist and Scott Wolf, with some pretty snazzy shirts on!
We’re so sorry to hear about the passing of our friend Jack Lindquist. We’ll sure miss getting together with him and hearing his wonderful stories, but we’re pleased to share some of them with you below! He was truly Disney royalty!
Jack Lindquist was Disneyland’s first advertising manager, beginning in 1955. He continued with the company in marketing for Disneyland. Walt Disney World and international Disney resorts. His many accomplishments include the creation of the Disneyland Ambassador program, the creation of the Walt Disney Travel Company, the international waters ceremony for the opening of the it’s a small world attraction, Disney Dollars, and in 1990 Jack became the first president of Disneyland.
Below are links to four conversations I had with Jack, that I think you’ll really enjoy!
During the Disney employee Christmas parties which were held at Disneyland, you never knew who might be working or where they’d be. I took this photo in 1993 when Jack Lindquist was driving passengers on a Main Street vehicle. The party hadn’t started and Jack was just sitting in the vehicle waiting. I was in, since I was also going to work on an attraction and I asked him for a ride. This was the first time I got to talk with Jack, being driven by him up and down Main Street in Disneyland.
I just posted my interview with Jack Lindquist on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, JJack discusses the history of the Walt Disney Travel Company from its inception. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
Disneyland/Disney world talent booker Sonny Anderson on Main Street
I just posted my interview with Sonny Anderson on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation Sonny discusses his Disney career starting as a drummer in the Disneyland Band in 1956 and becoming a legendary talent booker for Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Disneyland’s director of talent booking Stan Freese joins me for additional insight. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
This is Captain Rex, from the cockpit, as he appeared in Star Tours in 1992
A long time ago… Star Tours took flight at Disneyland with a 60 hour party! It was on this day in 1987 that Guests were first able to hop aboard a Starspeeder 3000 for an exhilarating trip to Endor, even if that meant waiting in a line which stretched from Tomorrowland, down Main Street, and past the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln theater. The new attraction replaced Adventure Thru Inner Space, and rather than inner space, would now blast off Guests to outer space. Although the lines for the popular new thrill ride subsided throughout the sixty hours, Guests were also able to enjoy such things as the new Captain EO 3-D film, eat at the all new Big Thunder Barbecue, enjoy the new Golden Horseshoe Jamboree stage show, or get caught up in the upbeat Totally Minnie parade. Although the new updated Star Tours: The Adventures Continue debuted five years ago, here are some of my photos I took back when the original was just five years old.
This is what Star Tours looked like in 1992, notice CircleVision at the right, which would alternate 360 degree movies “American Journeys” and “Wonders of China” would alternate each day.When Star Tours opened in 1987, Captain Rex piloted the Starspeeder until C-3PO took over the duties in 2011. Rex was voiced by Paul Rubens, better known as Pee-Wee Herman
I just posted my interview with Peter Marshall on my Mouse Clubhouse website. Peter Marshall reminisces about his career as a big band singer, actor, and television and radio host including “Hollywood Squares” and “Big Bands at Disneyland. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
Singer Jay Meyer, as he appears in the Haunted Mansion attractions (left) and a mortal head shot (right)
Learn about the amazing career of singer Jay Meyer, who you’ve probably seen as one of the singing busts in the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland, Walt Disney World or the international Disney parks. I’m working on the audio of my interview with Jay and will post it soon. Be sure to sign up for our weekly Email Updates to be alerted when I post it.
Although the Walt Disney World Resort opened on October 1, 1971, featuring the Magic Kingdom, two hotels, lakes, lagoons, golf courses and a campground, that day was not officially the grand opening. When Disneyland in California opened in 1955, things did not run smoothly, to say the least. There are the legendary stories such as the ladies heels sinking into the melting asphalt, and there are the lesser known stories such as when the future President of Disneyland, Jack Lindquist, waited 45 minutes for his young son to return on the Canal Boats of America that ended up being dragged back by workers in high rubber boots. In 1971, the folks at Disney were not going to take any chances in Florida, so although the new resort would open on the 1st, the official grand opening would occur on October 25th, giving them ample time to work out any kinks. On that day, Roy O. Disney delivered the dedication speech, “Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney… and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place… a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together.” While the grand opening festivities occurred later in the month, today is indeed a day of historical significance… the 38th anniversary of that magic day when Walt Disney World Ambassador Debby Dane Browne first led guests into the Magic Kingdom, and the first day the public was able to experience a Disney Resort, as it began its journey to become the premiere destination resort in the world.
Don Dorsey, creative director of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
I just posted my interview with Don Dorsey on my Mouse Clubhouse website. In this conversation, Don, who is a discusses a musician, director, producer, and audio engineer for Disney, discusses secrets of the classic Epcot show IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, for which he was creative director. CLICK HERE for the interview and more photos
Dinosaur-themed Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World
Restaurantosaurus, nestled in DinoLand U.S.A. in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is always good for a laughosaurus and some foodosaurus.
The story goes that DinoLand has a history that dates back to 1947 and the discovery of dinosaur bones by an amateur fossil-hunter. Realizing the importance of the find, the bone-hunter contacted some scientist friends who banded together to purchase the site, which included an old fishing lodge.
The fossil-rich site has since been inhabited by scientists, volunteers and grad students who have left a paper trail around the site of notes, theories, questions and answers about the lives of the vanished creatures.
The old fishing lodge became the dorm and commissary for paleontology students. As you can see in my photos above, the “students” have left their humor around the building, which includes deeming the eatery Restaurantosaurus.
And that’s the story! (Are you disappointed I didn’t say storyosaurus?)
At Restaurantosaurus you can enjoy food such as hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken nuggets, and because Disney’s not living in the stone age, they are offering more healthy options like the spicy black bean burgers and grilled-chicken sandwiches.
The Endosaurus
Want to visit Walt Disney World? Be sure to contact Shani and I’ll help you plan your dream vacation. And be sure to check out the Walt Disney World packages.
A reminder to visit the Snack Bar at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and RestaurantThe Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World takes you back to the fabulous 1950s! Drive-In movie theaters were all the rage. You could drive your car in, park, hook a speaker on your car window, and for those that weren’t necking in the back seat, you could enjoy a movie in front of you on the big screen.
From the moment you walk in to the Sci-Fi Dine-In, you’ll remarkably feel like you’ve stepped back in time, under the starry night sky (whether daytime or nighttime!), for some silver screen entertainment of the day.
As you hop in your ‘50s convertible, you’ll be seeing actual 1950s science-fiction-themed footage, with sound coming out of the authentic drive-in portable speakers.
Once you’ve ordered your classic American cuisine, you’ll SHRIEK at the “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman,” BEWARE as “Frankenstein Meets the Space Monster,” and be TERRIFIED by “Robot Monster.”
It was always fun to get a cartoon short accompanying the movie back in the day, and you’ll be treated to classics such as Tex Avery’s “The Cat Who Hated People,” and Tom and Jerry in “Mouse into Space.”
Intermission reminds you to visit the snack bar, with classic animated dancing hot dog, popcorn and beverage cups!
Of course, this is a Disney version of the ol’ drive-in, so you’ll see a few Disney treasures in the mix. Watch for Walt Disney and robot Garco, as Walt discusses the possibility of life on other planets in an introduction from the 1957 “Disneyland” television show, and the zany animated short from that episode in which a scholarly man tries to determine if there is “life on Mars.”
(above) Walt Disney with Garco as see at the Sci-Fi Dine-In, (below) A clip from a 1954 article, with Garco creator Harvey Chapman, his wife, and son Terry
Incidentally, Garco, was not just a prop for this TV show. Walt Disney was a man of vision and strove for authenticity. So for his robot sidekick for the television episode, he utilized an actual 5’8” 235 pound robot that was built by Harvey Chapman in 1953. He was built out of used aircraft parts and christened “Garco,” for the “Garrett Manufacturing Company” for which he was built. He had vacuum fingers to pick things up, a steel claw to grip, and he could telescope his legs to reach things on higher shelves.
Besides Garco, you might also spot 1967 Disneyland Ambassador Marcia Miner with Mickey Mouse in outer space apparel within the movie clips. This is footage from the grand opening of the new Tomorrowland in Disneyland which debuted the PeopleMover, Adventure Thru Inner Space and the General Electric Carousel of Progress amongst other things. You can listen to my conversation with Marcia here!
So the next time you’re in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, consider eating at a blast to the past, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and Restaurant. It’s out of this world!
While the kids and grandma sit up front, Shani & I enjoy the back seat 🙂
